Popular Former HYBE Singer’s Visual Transformation Leaves Him “Unrecognizable,” Triggering Mixed Reactions
In 2020, the survival show I-LAND showed the process of selecting the members of ENHYPEN.
Of the 12 trainees who made it to the final episode, 11 have since debuted in groups — the top seven, of course, made it into the winning group and debuted as members of ENHYPEN. Lee Geonu, the first trainee eliminated in part two of the show, has since debuted in JUST B.
Taki, who was the next to be eliminated, and K, who was eliminated in the final episode, debuted as members of &TEAM, with Hanbin being later revealed to be a member of TEMPEST.
Trainee Daniel ranked high in the first episode of part two but dropped below the top seven after, and ultimately finished in 9th place. He remained a trainee under Pledis Entertainment until 2023, when he left the agency, leaving many wondering what his future held.
In March 2025, NAISU Agency announced that Daniel, now under the name Kyu, would debut that month as a soloist with the single “Tempo.”
His image has dramatically changed, not just with age, but it is vastly different from that of idols. Teasers for his first release included a shot of him smoking, while his updates on Instagram were grittier than what some expected.
Recently, Kyu has sported dyed blond hair as he returned to posting on Instagram after a scandal earlier this year. One of his new posts was shared on X by a netizen and has since gone viral with over 3 million views.
아이랜드 다니엘이라고? pic.twitter.com/ALPL029aWB
— 씸심 (@jake_loveyou) December 10, 2025
Those that did not keep up with Kyu after his elimination from I-LAND expressed surprise over his appearance, with some having negative opinions while others defended him and his new image.
아이랜드 저번에 보고 다니엘 근황 너무궁금해서
찾아봤는데 진짜 누구세요……
제발 누구세요……… https://t.co/4eeABY1Ea8 pic.twitter.com/GWgV2vtvja— 김서닐 (@sunoouggae53cm) December 11, 2025
대체 어쩌다가.. https://t.co/QX2VhV0YUD pic.twitter.com/Pws4xU8SYv
— 됴됴 (@weiuzz) December 11, 2025
People need to leave Daniel alone now.
He has his fans that like his new aesthetic and music. He clearly doesn't want to be an idol that's why he left that world and pursued an indie solo career.
Stop linking him to a show that traumatized him as a 14 year old child. Move on. https://t.co/Ec2E6BQrJt
— . (@LegendLeeLeo) December 12, 2025
- I watched I-LAND the other day, and I was really curious about Daniel’s recent updates.
I looked him up, and… seriously, who are you…
Please, who are you… - How on earth did this happen…?
Kyu recently announced he would be going on an Asian tour in March, performing in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tokyo, Japan so far.
